Related Coverage

LAS VEGAS – The University of Hawai’i football team was picked to finish sixth in the West Division of the Mountain West announced Tuesday by the conference at its annual Media Days held at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

This year marks the second season of divisional play for the MW and for the second straight year the Rainbow Warriors were picked sixth in the West Division. In 2013, UH finished its first winless conference campaign (0-8) since 1998.

Boise State was predicted to win the Mountain Division title, while Fresno State was chosen to repeat as West Division champions.

The Bulldogs, which won the inaugural MW Championship game last year and shared the title with Boise State and San Diego State in 2012, earned 15 first place votes and 174 points. SDSU was a close second with 172 points and 15 first place votes followed by Nevada (130/3), UNLV (95), San José State (87) and UH (35).

Boise State, last year’s Mountain Division runner-up, finished with a 6-2 league record. The Broncos received 20 first-place votes, and earned a total of 183 points. USU was picked second (176/12) followed by Colorado State (135/1), Wyoming (90), New Mexico (56), and Air Force (53).

The two divisional winners will meet in the MW Championship Game on Dec. 6, 2014 at the home stadium of the divisional champion with the highest College Football Playoff Committee ranking.

The preseason all-MW team was also announced and no UH player received mention. Utah State senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Fresno State senior safety Derron Smith was selected Defensive Player of the Year. New Mexico junior return specialist Carlos Wiggins garnered Special Teams Player of the Year honors.